An Exercise Apparatus

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an exercise apparatus  10 . The exercise apparatus  10  comprises a first upstanding support. The exercise apparatus also comprises a pair of arms. Each arm has a first end and a second end. Each arm, towards its first end, is pivotably connected to the first support at a point which is spaced from the floor. Each arm comprises a second end remote from the first end which connects to the first support. Each arm has a handle, to enable manual lifting of the arms. Each arm comprises a mass arranged thereon. The position of the mass is movable along the arm.

The invention relates to an exercise apparatus. In particular, theinvention relates to a multi function exercise apparatus.

A problem with known exercise apparatus is that they tend to be designedto perform a single function.

An aim of the present invention is to provide an improved exerciseapparatus and/or an exercise apparatus with greater functionality and/orat least an alternative exercise apparatus.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided anexercise apparatus in accordance with claim 1.

A separate aim of the present invention is to provide an alternativeexercise apparatus.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided anexercise apparatus in accordance with claim 2.

A further separate aim of the present invention is to provide a furtheralternative exercise apparatus.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided anexercise apparatus in accordance with claim 5.

Other optional and preferred features of the invention are set out inthe dependent claims, and the description, below. The features of oneaspect of the invention can be combined in any complimentary manner,with one or more features of another aspect of the invention, thedependent claims, and/or with one or more features of the description,where such a combination of features would provide a working embodimentof the invention.

In this way, a multi function exercise apparatus is provided. In thisway, an exercise apparatus with means of varying the effective weight ofthe arm by merely moving weights, rather than adding or subtractingweights, is provided. In this way, an exercise apparatus withinterchangeability in the arms is provided. In this way, an exerciseapparatus with interchangeability in the rests is provided. In this way,an exercise apparatus with variability in terms of handle is provided.

Various exercise apparatus in accordance with the invention will now bedescribed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise apparatus,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of part of the exercise apparatus, detailingamongst other things an arm supporting member of the exercise apparatus,

FIG. 3 is a side view of part of the exercise apparatus, detailingamongst other things an arm supporting member of the exercise apparatus,arms of the exercise apparatus omitted for clarity,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view from one side of part of arms of theexercise apparatus,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view from above of part of arms of the exerciseapparatus,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view from above of part of one of the arms ofthe exercise apparatus, detailing amongst other things a handle of anarm,

FIG. 7 is a plan view of upper surface of rests of the exerciseapparatus,

FIG. 8 is an end view of upper surface of upper rests of the exerciseapparatus,

FIG. 9 is a side view of arms on the middle rests of the exerciseapparatus,

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of arms on a first pair of (lower) rests,

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of arms on a second pair of detachable(upper) rests,

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the exercise apparatus, utilizing adifferent pair of arms,

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative first upstandingsupport, second upstanding support, and bracing members, of anotherexercise apparatus,

FIG. 14 is a side view of the alternative first upstanding support,second upstanding support, and upper bracing member, of another exerciseapparatus.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exercise apparatus 10 comprises a base 12, afirst upstanding support 14, a second upstanding support 16, spaced fromthe first upstanding support. “Upstanding” support means a supportdesigned to sit on the floor or ground and extend at least partlyupwardly from the floor or ground. The term “upstanding” support doesnot exclude that the support can extend at least partly in anotherdirection other than vertically, e.g. horizontally.

The first upstanding support 14 takes the form of an A frame. Referringto FIGS. 2 and 3, the first upstanding support 14 comprises a first armsupporting member 18 and a second arm supporting member 20. The armsupporting members 18, 20 conveniently take the form of tubular rods.Each arm supporting member 18, 20 has a diametric aperture through it,transverse to the longitudinal axis of the arm supporting member 18, 20.The diametric aperture is intended to align with a diametric aperturethrough the hollow tubular collar 32 described below.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the second upstanding support 16 takes theform of a column or post.

The exercise apparatus 10 comprises a first (lower) brace member 21connecting the first upstanding support 14 and the second upstandingsupport 16. The exercise apparatus 10 comprises a second (upper) bracemember 22 connecting the first upstanding support 14 and the secondupstanding support 16.

The first upstanding support 14 comprises weight holders 23. The weightholders 23 are elongated rods, extending outwardly from both sides ofthe first upstanding support 14.

The exercise apparatus also comprises a first arm 24 and a second arm26. The first arm 24 and the second arm 26 are substantially identical.Therefore, only the features of the first arm 24 will be describedbelow, and it will be appreciated by the reader that the second arm 26is the same.

The first arm 24 takes the form of an elongated member, preferably a rodor tube as shown. The rod or tube of the first arm 24 has a longitudinalaxis (which need not be shown to be understood). The first arm 24 has afirst end 28 and a second end 30 remote from the first end.

The first arm 24, towards its first end 28, is connected to the firstarm supporting members 18 of the first upstanding support 14. Referringto FIGS. 4 and 5, which show greater detail near the first end 28 of thefirst arm 24, the first arm comprises a hollow tubular collar 32. Thecollar 32 has a diametric aperture through it, transverse to thelongitudinal axis of the collar. The diametric aperture of the armsupporting member 18, 20 is aligned with a diametric aperture throughthe hollow tubular collar 32. Then, a D pin 33 is passed through thediametric apertures of the arm supporting member 18, 20 and the hollowtubular collar 32 to fasten them together. The collar 32 has bifurcatedarms. Each arm of the collar 32 has an aperture through it. A (vertical)pin 34 is arranged through the arms of the collar 32. The (vertical) pin34 has an enlarged portion 35. The enlarged portion 35 is rotatableabout the longitudinal axis of the (vertical) pin 34. A (horizontal) pin36 is mounted through the enlarged portion 35. The arm 24 has bifurcatedmounting arms 37. Each bifurcated mounting arms 37 has an aperturethrough it. The (horizontal) pin 36 is mounted in the apertures of thebifurcated mounting arms 37. The arm 24 is pivotable about thelongitudinal axis of the (horizontal) pin 36. The (horizontal) pin 36enables the arm 24 to pivotably move upwardly and downwardly. Theenlarged portion 35 enables the arm 24 to move in a direction away fromthe second upstanding support 16. It should be appreciated by the readerthat the first arm 24 can be moved in a direction comprising both typesof movement at the same time. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the range ofmovement in the vertical plane is from the arm 24 touching the ground tothe arm 24 being substantially vertical. Referring to FIG. 5, the rangeof movement in the horizontal plane is from the arm 24 being at about+90 degrees to the collar 32 to the arm 24 being at about −90 degrees tothe collar.

Referring to FIG. 6, the first arm 24 has, towards its second end 30, ahandle 40. The handle 40 takes the form of a multi way handle. In theembodiment of the invention shown, the handle 40 takes the form of athree way handle.

The three way handle 40 comprises a first handle part 42, a secondhandle part 44, and a third handle part 46. The second handle part 44and the third handle part 46 are substantially identical to the firsthandle part 42. Therefore, only the features of the first handle part 42will be described below, and it will be appreciated by the reader thatthe second handle part 44 and the third handle part 46 are the same.

The first handle part 42, the second handle part 44, and the thirdhandle part 46, are all generally tubular. The tubular first handle part42, the tubular second handle part 44, and the tubular third handle part46 each have longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis of the rod or tubeof the first arm 24, the longitudinal axis of the first handle part 42,the longitudinal axis of the second handle part 44, and the longitudinalaxis of the third handle part 46 are all arranged in approximately thesame plane.

The longitudinal axis of the rod or tube of the first arm 24 is spacedfrom the longitudinal axis of the first handle part 42 by about 90degrees. The longitudinal axis of the first handle part 42 is spacedfrom the longitudinal axis of the second handle part 44 by about 90degrees. The longitudinal axis of the second handle part 44 is spacedfrom the longitudinal axis of the third handle part 46 by about 90degrees. The longitudinal axis of the third handle part 46 is spacedfrom the longitudinal axis of the rod or tube of the first arm 24 byabout 90 degrees.

The first handle part 42 comprises a tubular sleeve 50 that is rotatablerelative to an underlying (circular cross section or effectivelycircular cross section) supporting part of the first handle part. Thesleeve 50 of the first handle part 42 has a rough outer surface toprovide an enhanced friction grip for a user.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in accordance with the invention, the firstarm 24 comprises a mass 60 arranged thereon. The mass 60 is sleeveshaped. The mass 60 is slidable along the first arm 24. The first arm 24also comprises an adjustable clamp 62 arranged thereon. In one possibleembodiment, the clamp 62 has a rubber inner part. When the clamp 62 istightened, the rubber inner part exerts a grip on the arm 24 to fix theposition of the clamp along the length of the arm. The clamp 62 ispermanently fixed to the mass 60 by conventional fastening means such asbolts, so the clamp and mass move as one. If the position of the mass 60along the first arm 24 is acceptable, the clamp 62 can be tightened totemporarily fix the position of the mass at that position. If theposition of the mass 60 along the first arm 24 is not acceptable, theclamp 62 can be loosened to allow the mass to be slided to a newposition, at which position the clamp can be tightened to temporarilyfix the position of the mass at that position. The mass 60 can be fixedat a plurality of different positions along the length of the first arm24.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the exercise apparatus 10 comprises a firstpair of rests 70. The first rest 72 of the first pair of rests 70 andthe second rest 74 of the first pair of rests 70 are substantiallyidentical, except first rest 72 is a mirror image of the second rest 74about the second upstanding support. Therefore, only the features of thefirst rest 72 of the first pair of rests 70 will be described below, andit will be appreciated by the reader that the second rest 74 of thefirst pair of rests 70 is the same.

The first rest 72 is fixed to the second upstanding support 16, and thefirst rest 72 extends at least partly horizontally from the secondupstanding support. The first rest 72 extends in a direction transverseto, preferably approximately perpendicular to, the longitudinal axis ofthe resting position of the first arm 24.

The first rest 72 has an upper surface 76 intended to bear the weight ofthe first arm 24. The upper surface 76 can be made from a plastic orrubber material. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 9, the upper surface 76 isinclined at an angle which corresponds to the angle of inclination ofthe first arm which it supports. The angle of the inclination of theupper surface matching the angle of inclination of the first arm 24helps to reduce wear on the first arm 24 and the first rest 72.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 9, the exercise apparatus 10 comprises afirst pair 80 of detachable rests. The first rest 82 of the first pairof detachable rests 80 and the second rest 84 of the first pair ofdetachable rests 80 are substantially identical, except first rest 82 isa mirror image of the second rest 84 about the second upstandingsupport. Therefore, only the features of the first rest 82 of the firstpair of rests 80 will be described below, and it will be appreciated bythe reader that the second rest 84 of the first pair of rests 80 is thesame.

The first rest 82 is temporarily fixed to the second upstanding support16, and the first rest 82 extends at least partly horizontally from thesecond upstanding support 16.

The first rest 82 has an upper surface 86 intended to bear the weight ofthe first arm 24. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 9, the first rest 82 isconnected to the second upstanding support 16 in such a way that uppersurface 86 of first rest 82 is inclined at an angle which corresponds tothe angle of inclination of the first arm which it supports.

The first pair of detachable rests 80 fitted to second upstandingsupport 16 by lug and slot arrangement. In the embodiment shown, thesecond upstanding support 16 comprises slots 88 (only some of which arereferenced for conciseness) and the rests 80 comprises lugs (not shownfor conciseness). It should be appreciated by the reader that the angleof inclination of the slots 88 varies with height up the secondupstanding support 16. It is envisaged that, in an alternativeembodiment (not shown for conciseness), the second upstanding support 16instead comprises lugs and the rests instead comprise slots, and theangle of the lugs varies with height up the second upstanding support16. Referring to FIG. 9, it will be seen that the first rest 82comprises a retaining protrusion 89 at the end of the arm remote fromthe second upstanding support 16, which assists in retaining the arm 24on the rest. The same feature can be applied to any of the rests.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, 7, 8 and 9, the exercise apparatus 10 comprisesa second pair 100 of detachable rests. The first rest 102 of the secondpair of detachable rests 100 and the second rest 104 of the second pairof detachable rests 100 are substantially identical, except first rest102 is a mirror image of the second rest 104 about the second upstandingsupport. Therefore, only the features of the first rest 102 of the firstpair of rests 100 will be described below, and it will be appreciated bythe reader that the second rest 104 of the second pair of detachablerests 100 is the same.

The first rest 102 is temporarily fixed to the second upstanding support16, and the first rest 102 extends at least partly horizontally from thesecond upstanding support 16.

The first rest 102 has an upper surface 106 intended to bear the weightof the first arm 24. The first rest 102 is connected to the secondupstanding support 16 in such a way that upper surface 106 of first rest102 is inclined at an angle which corresponds to the angle ofinclination of the first arm which it supports.

The second pair of detachable rests 100 fitted to second upstandingsupport 16 by lug and slot arrangement. In the embodiment shown, thesecond upstanding support 16 comprises slots 108 and the rests 100comprises lugs (not shown for conciseness). The angle of inclination ofthe slots varies with height up the second upstanding support 16. It isenvisaged that, in an alternative embodiment (not shown forconciseness), the second upstanding support 16 instead comprises lugsand the rests instead comprise slots, and the angle of the lugs varieswith height up the second upstanding support 16.

Referring to FIG. 8, upper surfaces 106 of the second pair of detachablerests 100 comprises a series of cavities 110, each of the cavities beingdefined by successive ridges 112. The cavities 110 are designed toreceive the arms 24.

Referring to FIG. 3, the second upstanding support 16 comprises atransport handle 114 to assist in manually transporting the exerciseapparatus 10 into a desired position in a gymnasium.

In use, the exercise apparatus 10 is operated as follows.

The clamp can be adjusted (loosened) to allow mass to be moved, andadjusted (tightened) to temporarily fix the position of the mass atdifferent positions along the length of the arm. If in one exercise, auser is lifting the arms at the handle, this feature enables the user tovary the effective mass being lifted.

It will be appreciated that the first arm 24 and the second arm 26 aremovable independently of one another.

Example exercise names in which the arms come into engagement with thelower rests (first pair of rests 70):

Clean and press (arms are lifted from lower rest to above the upperrests, and arms are returned back to lower rests.

Deadlift.

Example exercise names in which the arms come into engagement withmiddle rests (first pair 80 of detachable rests):

Dips.

Horizontal laterals.

Example exercise names in which the arms come into engagement with upperrests (second pair of detachable rests 100):

Pull ups.

Hanging leg raises.

FIG. 10 shows arms 24, 26 on a first pair of (lower) rests 70.

FIG. 11 shows arms 24, 26 on a second pair of detachable (upper) rests100.

Referring to FIG. 12, the exercise apparatus 10 comprises some parts thesame as the embodiment described above for example in FIG. 1, and suchparts are referenced with the same numbers. The exercise apparatus 10 ofFIG. 12 comprises a different pair of arms 202, 204. Instead of the armhaving a mass 60 and clamp 62, the arm 202 comprises a holder 206 forholding a mass 208. The arms 202, 204 can be quickly and easilyinterchanged with arms 24, 26.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, in another embodiment of the invention, anexercise apparatus can comprise some parts the same as the embodimentdescribed above for example in FIG. 1, and an alternative firstupstanding support 300, second upstanding support 302, and upper bracingmember 304. The first upstanding support 300 is about the same height asthan the first upstanding support 14. The second upstanding support 302is shorter than the second upstanding support 16. The first upstandingsupport 300 does not have holders 23 because an exercise apparatushaving the first upstanding support 300, second upstanding support 302,and upper bracing member 304 would typically be used with only the arms24, 26. An exercise apparatus having the first upstanding support 300,second upstanding support 302, and upper bracing member 304 is suitablefor class based exercises because the lower profile exercise apparatusallows better eye contact between the class instructor and classparticipants.

An advantage of using the arms 202, 204 with weight holders 206 insteadof the arms 24, 26 with sliding weights 60 is that the arms 202, 204with weight holders 106 enable a user to use standard weights, andtypically heavier weights. An advantage of using the arms 24, 26 withslider weights 60 is to provide a means of varying the effective weightof the arm by the user merely moving the weights 60, rather than needingto add or subtract weights from the apparatus 10. The sliding weight 60can conveniently be about 10 kg. A user can vary the perceived weightthey are lifting at the handle end from about 7 kg if the mass 60 isadjacent the universal joint end 28 of the arm 24 to up to about 15 kgif the mass is adjacent the handle end 30 of the arm. Given the sliderweight 60 is typically lower than weight used on weight holders 206, thearm 24 with slider weights 60 allows more lifting repetitions, makingthe arm 24 with slider weights 60 more suitable for class based usage.

1. An exercise apparatus comprising a first upstanding support, theexercise apparatus also comprising a pair of arms, each arm has a firstend and a second end, each arm, towards its first end, is pivotablyconnected to the first support, each arm comprising a second end remotefrom the first end which connects to the first support, wherein each armhas a handle, to enable manual use of the arms.
 2. An exerciseapparatus, independent of any previous claim or dependent on claim 1,the exercise apparatus comprising a first upstanding support, theexercise apparatus also comprising a pair of arms, each arm has a firstend and a second end, each arm, towards its first end, is pivotablyconnected to the first support at a point which is spaced from thefloor, each arm comprising a second end remote from the first end whichconnects to the first support, wherein each arm has a handle, to enablemanual use of the arms, wherein each arm comprises a mass arrangedthereon, and the position of the mass is movable along the arm.
 3. Anexercise apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the exercise apparatuscomprises an adjustable clamp to temporarily fix the position of themass at different positions along the length of the arm.
 4. An exerciseapparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the masses are sleeveshaped.
 5. An exercise apparatus, independent of any previous claim ordependent on claim 1, the exercise apparatus comprising a firstupstanding support, the exercise apparatus also comprising a pair ofarms, each arm has a first end and a second end, each arm, towards itsfirst end, is pivotably connected to the first support at a point whichis spaced from the floor, each arm comprises a holder for a mass, eacharm comprising a second end remote from the first end which connects tothe first support, wherein each arm has a handle, to enable manual useof the arms.
 6. An exercise apparatus according to any one or more ofthe preceding claims, wherein the connection between the arms and thefirst upstanding support allows the arms to move up and down, andhorizontally.
 7. An exercise apparatus according to any one or more ofthe preceding claims, wherein each handle comprises a multi way handle.8. An exercise apparatus according to claim 7, wherein each multi wayhandle comprises a three way handle.
 9. An exercise apparatus accordingto claim 8, wherein each arm has a main shaft, and each three way handlecomprises a first handle part, a second handle part, and a third handlepart, and for each arm, and the shaft, the first handle part, the secondhandle part, and the third handle part are all arranged in approximatelythe same plane.
 10. An exercise apparatus according to claim 9, whereinfor each arm, the shaft is spaced from the first handle part by about 90degrees, the first handle part is spaced from the second handle part byabout 90 degrees, the second handle part is spaced from the third handlepart by about 90 degrees, and the third handle part is spaced from theshaft by about 90 degrees.
 11. An exercise apparatus according to anyone or more of the preceding claims, wherein the handles if just onepair of handles, or at least one of the pairs of handle parts of themulti way handles if the handles comprises multi way handles, comprisesa sleeve that is rotatable relative to an underlying supporting part ofthe arm.
 12. An exercise apparatus according to any one or more of thepreceding claims, wherein the exercise apparatus comprises a secondupstanding support, spaced from the first upstanding support.
 13. Anexercise apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the exercise apparatuscomprises a pair of fixed rests for the arms, the fixed rests extendingat least partly horizontally from the second support.
 14. An exerciseapparatus according to claim 13, wherein each rest is connected to thesecond support in such a way that upper surfaces of each rest areinclined at the same angle as the angle of inclination of the arm whichit supports.
 15. An exercise apparatus according to any one or moreclaim which depends on claim 12, wherein the exercise apparatuscomprises at least one pair of detachable rests for the arms, the restsextending at least partly horizontally from the second support.
 16. Anexercise apparatus according to claim 15, wherein each rest of the firstpair of detachable rests is connected to the second support in such away that upper surfaces of each rest are inclined at the same angle asthe angle of inclination of the arm which it supports.
 17. An exerciseapparatus according to claim 16, wherein first pair of detachable restsfitted to second support by lug and slot arrangement, and the angle ofthe slot varies with the height up the second support.
 18. An exerciseapparatus according to any one or more of the preceding claims whichdepends on claim 15, wherein the upper surface of the detachable restscomprises a series of cavities, each of the cavities being defined bysuccessive ridges.
 19. An exercise apparatus according to any one ormore of the preceding claims which on claim 15, wherein the exerciseapparatus comprises a first pair of detachable rests for the arms and asecond pair of detachable rests for the arms.
 20. An exercise apparatusaccording to any one or more of the preceding claims which depends onclaim 13 and claim 15, wherein the detachable rests are arranged abovethe fixed rests.